U.S. patent application number 11/459183 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for collision object protection assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuji Kikuchi, Ken Nakane, Yutaka Okamoto, Kazutada Sasaki.
Application Number | 20070023222 11/459183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37650560 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070023222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okamoto; Yutaka ; et
al. |
February 1, 2007 |
COLLISION OBJECT PROTECTION ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A collision object protection assembly inflates and expands an
air bag on a vehicle if a collision with the vehicle is detected or
predicted. The collision object protection assembly includes a
retainer positioned in a space between a bonnet hood and a front
window glass of the vehicle and accommodating the air bag, and a
cowl top arranged around the retainer to close the space between
the bonnet hood and the front window glass. The retainer has an
upper opening to be covered by a lid member. The lid member is a
separate member from the cowl top.
Inventors: |
Okamoto; Yutaka; (Wako-shi,
Saitama, JP) ; Kikuchi; Yuji; (Wako-shi, Saitama,
JP) ; Sasaki; Kazutada; (Wako-shi, Saitama, JP)
; Nakane; Ken; (Wako-shi, Saitama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANKIN, HILL, PORTER & CLARK LLP
4080 ERIE STREET
WILLOUGHBY
OH
44094-7836
US
|
Assignee: |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
1-1, Minami-Aoyama 2-chome Minato-ku
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37650560 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459183 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/274 ;
280/730.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/274 ;
280/730.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/427 20060101
B60N002/427; B60R 21/34 20070101 B60R021/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 26, 2005 |
JP |
2005-216311 |
Sep 26, 2005 |
JP |
2005-277218 |
Claims
1. A collision object protection assembly, which inflates and
expands an air bag on a vehicle when a collision with the vehicle
is detected or predicted, the collision object protection assembly
comprising: a retainer positioned in a space between a bonnet hood
and a front window glass of the vehicle and accommodating the air
bag, the retainer having an upper opening; and a cowl top arranged
around the retainer to close the space between the bonnet hood and
the front window glass, wherein the upper opening of the retainer
is covered by a lid member, which is a separate member from the
cowl top.
2. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the lid member is divided into a plurality of pieces in a
width direction of the vehicle.
3. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the lid member is divided into a plurality of divided lid
members arranged in line in a width direction of the vehicle, and
wherein adjacent side end portions of the divided lid members are
overlapped each other.
4. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the lid member is connected to the retainer through a
connecting member extendable toward an outside of the vehicle.
5. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 2,
wherein each of the lid members is connected to the retainer
through a connecting member extendable toward an outside of the
vehicle.
6. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 3,
wherein each of the lid members is connected to the retainer
through a connecting member extendable toward an outside of the
vehicle.
7. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein a cover member is attached to the retainer at a portion
visible from an outside of the vehicle.
8. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the retainer is provided with a ventilation passage having
a ventilation opening at a front side the vehicle, and the
ventilation passage is in communication with a flow passage
directed to an air conditioner.
9. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 1,
wherein an air bag device is fixed to a dash upper.
10. A collision object protection assembly according to claim 8,
wherein the dash upper is provided with a cross beam and the air
bag device is fixed to the cross beam.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the foreign priority benefit under
Title 35, United States Code, .sctn.119(a)-(d) of Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 2005-216311 and 2005-277218, filed on July 26 and
Sep. 26, 2005 in the Japan Patent Office, the disclosures of which
are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a collision object
protection assembly, which absorbs an impact upon collision of a
vehicle with a collision object, such as a pedestrian, and protects
the collision object.
[0003] For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.
2003-252140 (paragraphs [0006] and FIG. 4) discloses a collision
object protection assembly which inflates and expands an air bag on
a vehicle if a collision with the vehicle is detected or predicted,
so that an impact force applied to the collision object is absorbed
and relieved. This collision object protection assembly includes a
cowl top arranged between a vehicular bonnet hood (hereinafter also
referred to as a hood for simplicity) and a front window glass, and
a retainer accommodating an air bag and positioned below the cowl
top so that an upper opening of the retainer is covered by the cowl
top.
[0004] This collision object protection assembly operates, if a
collision with the vehicle is detected or predicted, such that an
expansion force of the air bag causes part of the cowl top to be
opened in the forward or rearward direction to thereby inflate and
expand the air bag on the vehicle.
[0005] However, the upper opening of the retainer is covered and
closed by the cowl top in the aforementioned conventional collision
object protection assembly, and so the inside of the retainer is
exposed during the manufacturing process of the vehicle,
particularly during the time after the retainer is assembled to the
vehicle and before the cowl top is mounted. This allows water,
chemicals, foreign objects, and the like to enter the inside of the
retainer, which leads to a deterioration of the air bag or the
inflator and an inflation and expansion error of the air bag.
[0006] Further, when the cowl top is assembled with respect to the
retainer, it is necessary to fine adjust the positions of the
retainer and the cowl top such that the upper opening of the
retainer is closed. However, because the retainer and the cowl top
are separately assembled with the vehicle, positioning of the
retainer and the cowl top becomes difficult, leading to a
time-consuming assembling operation.
[0007] Furthermore, the cowl top is required to have sufficient
flexibility so that part of the cowl top is reliably opened by the
expansion force of the air bag. Therefore, the cowl top has to be
made of an expensive material which prevents loss of its
flexibility even at low temperatures, which disadvantageously leads
to an increased manufacturing cost of the cowl top.
[0008] In view of the above, the present invention seeks to provide
a collision object protection assembly, which prevents water,
foreign objects, and the like from entering the inside of the
retainer, and which enables easy assembling of the retainer and the
cowl top, and further which decreases the manufacturing cost of the
cowl top.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a
collision object protection assembly, which inflates and expands an
air bag on a vehicle when a collision with the vehicle is detected
or predicted. The collision object protection assembly includes a
retainer positioned in a space between a bonnet hood and a front
window glass of the vehicle and accommodating the air bag, and a
cowl top arranged around the retainer to close the space between
the bonnet hood and the front window glass. An upper opening of the
retainer is covered by a lid member, which is a separate member
from the cowl top.
[0010] With this configuration of the collision object protection
assembly, the cowl top is arranged around the retainer in which is
accommodated the air bag so as to close the space between the
bonnet hood and the front window glass, and the upper opening of
the retainer is covered by a lid member, which is a separate member
from the cowl top. This makes it possible to handle the retainer as
a single part of which inside portion is sealed. Therefore, even in
a case in which the cowl top is not assembled during the
manufacturing process of the vehicle, the inside of the retainer is
not exposed, and it is possible to prevent water, foreign objects,
and the like from entering into the inside of the retainer, which
enables a reliable operation of the air bag.
[0011] Further, it is not necessary to cover the upper opening of
the retainer by the cowl top, and thus no fine adjustment of the
positions between the retainer and the cowl top is required upon
assembling the retainer and the cowl top to the vehicle. Therefore,
assembling the retainer and the cowl top is readily performed.
[0012] Further, the air bag inflates and expands while opening the
lid member fixed to the retainer. Because inflation and expansion
of the air bag is performed without deforming the cowl top, it is
not necessary to form the cowl top with an expensive material,
which preserves sufficient flexibility at lower temperatures,
thereby decreasing the manufacturing cost of the cowl top.
[0013] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, the lid member may be divided into a plurality of pieces
in a width direction of the vehicle
[0014] With this configuration of the collision object protection
assembly, the lid member covering the upper opening of the retainer
is divided into a plurality of pieces in the width direction of the
vehicle, so that upon inflation and expansion of the air bag, the
lid member is opened with it being divided into a plurality of
pieces. Because the lid member is readily opened, a smooth
inflation and expansion of the air bag is performed.
[0015] Boundary lines or grooves may appear on the upper surface of
the lid member and at parts where the lid member is divided in the
width direction of the vehicle. However, the cowl top is arranged
around the retainer, and at first glance the retainer looks as if
it is a part of the cowl top. Therefore, the boundary grooves of
the lid member also look as if they are part of the design of the
cowl top. Further, because the cowl top is usually black in color,
the boundary grooves of the lid member becomes less conspicuous if
the lid member is also black in color.
[0016] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, the lid member may be divided into a plurality of divided
lid members arranged in line in a width direction of the vehicle,
and adjacent side end portions of the divided lid members may be
overlapped is each other.
[0017] With this configuration of the collision object protection
assembly, the lid member is divided into a plurality of divided lid
members arranged in line in the width direction of the vehicle and
adjacent side end portions of the divided lid members are
overlapped each other, so that the inside of the retainer is not
exposed to view from the boundary grooves of the divided lid
members. Therefore, the collision object protection assembly
reliably prevents water, foreign objects, and the like from
entering the inside of the retainer through the boundary
grooves.
[0018] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, the lid member (lid members) may be connected to the
retainer through a connecting member extendable toward an outside
of the vehicle.
[0019] With this configuration of the collision object protection
assembly, each lid member is connected to the retainer through the
connecting member extendable toward the outside of the vehicle, so
that when the lid member is opened by an expansion force of the air
bag, the connecting member extends by the displacement of the lid
member to thereby increase the displacement amount of the lid
member. This enables the lid member(s) to be opened while the lid
member(s) superposing on the hood of the vehicle. Therefore,
without being affected by the open lid member(s), it is possible to
inflate and expand the air bag to an extensive range on the vehicle
while the air bag rides on the vehicle.
[0020] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, a cover member may be attached to the retainer at a
portion visible from an outside of the vehicle.
[0021] The retainer is usually made of metal, and if the cover
member is attached to the retainer at a portion visible from the
outside of the vehicle, the appearance of the vehicle will not be
impaired.
[0022] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, the retainer may be provided with a ventilation passage
having a ventilation opening at a front side of the vehicle, and
the ventilation passage may be in communication with a flow passage
directed to an air conditioner.
[0023] With this configuration of the collision object protection
assembly, the ventilation opening is arranged at a front side of
the vehicle and the retainer is provided with a ventilation
passage, which is in communication with the flow passage directed
to the air conditioner. Therefore, even if the retainer extends in
the width direction of the vehicle, air is taken in from the front
side of the vehicle and fed to the interior of the vehicle behind
the retainer.
[0024] According to the aforementioned collision object protection
assembly, an air bag device may be fixed to a dash upper. Further,
the dash upper may be provided with a cross beam and the air bag
device may be fixed to the cross beam.
[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The aspects of the present invention will become more
apparent by describing in detail illustrative, non-limiting
embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1A is a top view of a collision object protection
assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, in
which the air bag is not inflated;
[0028] FIG. 1B is a top view of the collision object protection
assembly according to this embodiment, in which the air bag has
been inflated and expanded;
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the collision
object protection assembly according to this embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG.
1A and illustrating the collision object protection assembly;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collision object
protection assembly illustrating a side end portion thereof;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG.
2;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the collision object
protection assembly, in which the air bag has been inflated and
exploded; and
[0034] FIGS. 7A to 7D are sectional views each illustrating divided
lids of a collision object protection assembly according to another
embodiment together with a boundary groove of the adjacent divided
lids.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described, if
necessary, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] According to this preferred embodiment, a collision object
protection assembly will be described as an example that is mounted
on a front part of a vehicle, so that when the vehicle such as an
automobile collides with an object (collision object) during the
running of the vehicle and then the collision object is involved in
a secondary collision with it being hit by the upper surface of the
front part of the vehicle, the collision object protection assembly
absorbs and relieves an impact force applied to the collision
object.
[0037] A collision object protection assembly 1 as shown in FIG. 1
includes a collision detection device (not shown) which detects or
predicts a collision of a vehicle 2 with a collision object such as
a pedestrian, and an air bag 10 which is inflated and expanded on
the vehicle 2 when the collision detection device detects or
predicts a collision with the vehicle 2.
[0038] The collision detection device includes an ECU (Electronic
Control Unit) which detects or predicts a collision of the vehicle
2 to a collision object based on a signal from a sensor (not shown)
or radar (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 2. The collision
detection device operates two inflators 20, 20 so as to generate
gas and to inflate and expand the air bag 10 when it detects or
predicts a collision with the vehicle 2. The collision detection
device is configured using a known device, and the configuration
thereof is not limited to a specific one.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1B, the air bag 10 is a bag member having a
tubular cross section. The air bag 10 comprises a main body portion
11 which inflates and expands along a lower part of the front
window glass 2a of the vehicle 2, and a pair of pillar portions 12,
12 which inflates and expands along the font pillars 2b, 2b of the
vehicle 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, extending longitudinally of the interior
of the air bag 10 along the main body portion 11 or the pillar
portions 12, 12 are tethers 11a, 11a connecting the upper and lower
surfaces of the air bag 10. Because of the tethers 11a, 11a, when
the air bag 10 inflates and expands, dent portions are formed on an
area of the air bag 10 riding on the upper surface of the vehicle
2. Therefore, the air bag 10 inflates and expands to have a wider
section in its axial direction. Because the air bag 10 expands
along the upper surface of the vehicle 2, the width of the area
where the air bag 10 rides on the vehicle 2 becomes wider and a
deviation of the whole air bag 10 is prevented.
[0041] As best seen in FIG. 3, the air bag 10 is folded and
accommodated, before inflation and expansion, in a retainer 31 of
an air bag module 30, which is provided between a hood 2c and the
front window glass 2a of the vehicle 2. The retainer 31 is arranged
along the rear end portion of the hood 2c, and at the rear of and
at both sides of the retainer 31 are arranged a cowl top 40 for
covering a space between the hood 2c and the front window glass
2a.
[0042] A dash upper 50 is provided at the rear end of the hood 2c
and extending to the lower of the lower end of the front window
glass 2a. The dash upper 50 extends in the width direction of the
vehicle, and both side end portions of the dash upper 50 are joined
with a vehicle body frame (not shown).
[0043] The dash upper 50 is made of a steel plate bent to have a
substantially U-shaped side cross section. The dash upper 50
includes a lower plate 51, a rear plate 52, and an upper plate 53.
The front end 51a of the lower plate 51 is positioned below the
rear end portion of the hood 2c, and the rear end 51b of the lower
plate 51 is positioned below the front window glass 2a.
[0044] The front end 51a of the lower plate 51 is higher than the
rear end 51b, and at a portion more frontward than the center of
the lower plate 51 as viewed in the front and rear direction, a
step is formed by a vertical portion 51c of the lower plate 51.
[0045] The rear plate 52 extends vertically from the rear end 51b
of the lower plate 51, and the upper plate 53 extends in the
forward direction from the upper end 52a of the rear plate 52.
[0046] Further, a reinforcement cross beam 51d extends in the width
direction of the vehicle at the center portion of the lower plate
51 and on the upper surface of the lower plate 51. The cross beam
51d is made of a steel plate bent to have a trapezoidal side cross
section. The cross beam 51d is joined to the upper surface of the
lower plate 51 at the front end and the rear end of the cross beam
51d.
[0047] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air bag module 30 extends in
the width direction of the vehicle along the rear end portion of
the hood 2c, and consists of a retainer 31 in the form of a
box-like container accommodating the air bag 10 and the inflators
20, 20, a front cover 33 attached to the front surface 31b of the
retainer 31, a rear cover 34 attached to the rear surface 31c of
the retainer 31, and side covers 35, 35 attached to the both side
surfaces of the retainer 31.
[0048] The retainer 31 has an upper opening 31a. The upper opening
31a is covered by a lid 32 as a lid member so that the inside of
the retainer 31 is sealed.
[0049] The retainer 31 has female screw holes at a lower part of
the front surface 31b in such positions that when the retainer 31
is overlapped the inner surface of the vertical portion 51c of the
lower plate 51, the female screw holes are in conformity with
through holes formed in the vertical portion 51c. Therefore,
inserting and screwing bolts B1 from outside the through holes
makes the retainer 31 and the lower plate 51 to be fixed
together.
[0050] An attachment plate 31d is fixed to the rear surface 31c of
the retainer 31. The attachment plate 31d is bent to have an
L-shaped form extending toward the rear direction. Rear end part of
the attachment plate 31d overlaps the cross beam 51d, and they are
fixed together by inserting bolts B2 from above the attachment
plate 31d into through holes formed in the attachment plate 31d and
the cross beam 51d and screwing the bolts B2 into nuts N1 at the
reverse surface of the cross beam 51d.
[0051] Accordingly, the retainer 31 is fixed to the lower plate 51
of the dash upper 50. Attachment structures between the retainer 31
and the dash upper 50, such as the bolts B1, B2 and nuts N1, are
arranged at a predetermined space interval in the width direction
of the vehicle.
[0052] Inflators 20, 20 are accommodated at the bottom of the
retainer 31, and the air bag 10 is folded and positioned above the
inflators 20.
[0053] A band member (not shown) wraps around the inflator 20 and
the air bag 10. The band member is provided with a bolt B3, which
is inserted into through holes formed in the retainer 31 and the
lower plate 51 of the dash upper 50 and screwed into a nut N2 at
the lower surface of the lower plate 51 to fix the air bag 10 and
the inflator 20 together within the retainer 31.
[0054] According to this preferred embodiment, two inflators 20, 20
are arranged in the retainer 31 of the air bag module 30 (FIG. 1A),
and each of the inflators 20 is fixed as above within the retainer
31.
[0055] The lid 32 is a plate-like member for covering the upper
opening 31a of the retainer 31 and sealing the inside of the
retainer 31. According to this embodiment, the lid 32 is divided in
the width direction of the vehicle into four divided lids
32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 (divided lid members defined in the claims).
As shown in FIG. 5, side end portions of each divided lid
32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are cut out at the upper half or the lower
half so that when the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are
arranged in line in the width direction of the vehicle, adjacent
side end portions of the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are
overlapped each other. Of these four divided lids 32b.sub.1,
32b.sub.2, the two divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.1 arranged in
the center are overlapped at the side end portions onto the side
end portions of the other two divided lids 32b.sub.2, 32b.sub.1
arranged on both sides.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 3, a pin member 32c of a fit-in clip extends
downwardly at the rear end of each divided lid 32b.sub.1,
32b.sub.2. The distal end of the pin member 32c is fitted into and
engaged with a through hole formed in the upper end of the rear
cover 34.
[0057] As best seen in FIG. 3, a hinge member 32a (connecting
member defined in the claims) in the shape of an L-shaped plate
member is attached to the divided lid 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 at one
end thereof, and the other end of the hinge member 32a is attached
to a front inner surface of the retainer 31. The mid portion of the
hinge member 32a is folded and allowed to extend toward the outside
of the vehicle.
[0058] When the air bag 10 inflates and expands as illustrated in
FIG. 6, the expansion force of the air bag 10 opens each of the
divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 toward the outside of the
vehicle. The hinge member 32a then extends in accordance with the
displacement of the divided lid, allowing each of the divided lids
32b, 32b.sub.2 to be opened toward the front side of the
vehicle.
[0059] In order to reliably open the divided lids 32b.sub.1,
32b.sub.2 without scattering the divided lids, the divided lids
32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are preferably made of a material having a
sufficient flexibility. For this reason, each of the divided lids
32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 is made of a material which does not lose its
flexibility even at low temperatures in a cold district or the
like. For example, a material having a lower brittle temperature,
such as fluororesin or polyethylene is used.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front cover 33 extends along
the front surface 31b of the retainer 31. The upper end of the
front cover 33 is joined with the upper end of the front surface
31b of the retainer 31.
[0061] The front cover 33 tilts downwardly from the upper end
toward the front side of the vehicle in such a manner as to extend
inward below the rear end of the hood 2c, and is bent at a mid
portion thereof so as to extend downwardly in the vertical
direction.
[0062] Formed at the front surface of this bent portion is a
protrusion 33a extending in the width direction of the vehicle. As
seen in FIG. 3, a seal member 33b made of rubber is fitted onto the
protrusion 33a over the whole width of the protrusion 33a. The seal
member 33b abuts against the lower surface of the hood 2c to
thereby prevent water from entering into a space between the air
bag module 30 and the hood 2c.
[0063] Pin members 33c of a fit-in clip extend downwardly from the
lower end of the front cover 33, so that fitting the pin members
33c into corresponding through holes formed in the front end
portion 51a of the lower plate 51 of the dash upper 50 makes the
lower end of the front cover 33 to be fixed to the lower plate 51
of the dash upper 50. The plurality of pin members 33c and
corresponding through holes are provided at a predetermined space
interval in the width direction of the vehicle.
[0064] Accordingly, a ventilation passage 36 surrounded by the
front cover 33, the front surface 31b of the retainer 31, and the
lower plate 51 of the dash upper 50 is formed along the front
surface 31b of the retainer 31 in the width direction of the
vehicle.
[0065] Further, four ventilation openings 33d are formed in the
upper part of the front cover 33 at a predetermined space interval
in the width direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4, air at
the front side of the vehicle is taken in from the inside of the
hood 2c through the ventilation openings 33d and into the
ventilation passage 36, and thereafter the air flows toward the
both sides of the ventilation passage 36.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear cover 34 is attached to a
spacer 34a which is fixed to the rear surface 31c of the retainer
31 to thereby cover the upper part of the rear surface 31c of the
retainer 31. The lower end 34c of the rear cover 34 is bent to
extend toward the rear direction.
[0067] Protruding forwardly from the front surface of the rear
cover 34 are pin members 34b of a fit-in clip. Therefore, fitting
the pin members 34b into corresponding through holes formed in the
spacer 34a makes the rear cover 34 to be fixed to the spacer 34a.
The plurality of pin members 34b and corresponding through holes
are provided at a predetermined space interval in the width
direction of the vehicle.
[0068] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cowl top 40 consists of a main
body 41 as a horizontal plate extending along the rear surface 31c
of the retainer 31, and box-like side portions 42, 42 extending
from the main body 41 along the side portions of the retainer 31.
Two through-openings 41a, 41a are formed in the main body 44 of the
cowl top 40 for the attachment of wipers.
[0069] When the cowl top 40 is arranged behind and at both sides of
the retainer 31, the space between the hood 2c and the front window
glass 2a is covered by the retainer 31 and the cowl top 40 as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0070] As best seen in FIG. 3, the main body 41 of the cowl top 40
is attached to the retainer 31 at a center portion in the height
direction of the retainer 31. Pin members 41b of a fit-in clip
protrude downwardly from the lower surface of the front end of the
main body 41. The pin members 41b are fitted into corresponding
through holes formed in the lower end 34c of the rear cover 34.
[0071] Pin members 41c of the fit-in clip also protrude downwardly
from the lower surface of the rear end of the main body 41. The pin
members 41c are fitted into a corresponding through hole formed in
the front end 53a of the upper plate 53 of the dash upper 50.
[0072] The plurality of pin members 41b, 41c and corresponding
through holes are provided at a predetermined space interval in the
width direction of the vehicle.
[0073] The main body 41 of the cowl top 40 is thereby fixed to the
retainer 31 and the dash upper 50.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, each side portion 42 is a hollow box
member which consists of a bent plate 42a formed in flush with the
front cover 33 attached to the retainer 31, a tilted plate 42b
extending downwards and rearwards from the top end of the bent
plate 42a and merging with the main body 41, a bottom plate 42c
continuously elongating from the main body 41 and closing the
bottom surface of the side portion 42, and side plates 42d, 42d for
closing the side ends of the side portion 42.
[0075] The inside of the side portion 42 provides a space for
introducing air from the ventilation passage 36 formed in the front
surface 31b of the retainer 31 toward a flow passage for the air
conditioner (not shown) arranged below the main body 41 of the cowl
top 40. The side plate 42d that is positioned inward is provided
with a side opening 42e communicating with the side end of the
ventilation passage 36, and the bottom plate 42c is provided with a
bottom opening 42f communicating with the flow passage directed to
the air conditioner.
[0076] The collision object protection assembly 1 as described
above has the following effects.
[0077] According to the collision object protection assembly 1, as
shown in FIG. 3, the cowl top 40 is arranged around the retainer 31
in which is accommodated the air bag 10, so as to close the space
between the hood 2c and the front window glass 2a, and the upper
opening 31a of the retainer 31 is covered by the lid 32 which is a
separate member from the cowl top 40. Therefore, it is possible to
handle the retainer 31 as a single part of which inside portion is
sealed. Even in a state where the cowl top 40 is not assembled
during the manufacturing process of the vehicle 2, the inside of
the retainer 31 is not exposed, and it is possible to prevent
water, foreign objects, and the like from entering the inside of
the retainer 31, enabling a reliable operation of the air bag
10.
[0078] Further, it is not necessary to cover the upper opening 31a
of the retainer 31 by the cowl top 40, and thus no fine adjustment
of the positions between the retainer 31 and the cowl top 40 is
required upon assembling the retainer 31 and the cowl top 40 to the
vehicle 2. Therefore, assembling the retainer 31 and the cowl top
40 is readily performed.
[0079] The air bag 10 inflates and expands while opening the lid 32
attached to the retainer 31. Because inflation and expansion of the
air bag 10 is performed without deforming the cowl top 40, it is
not necessary to form the cowl top 40 with an expensive material
which preserves sufficient flexibility at lower temperatures,
thereby decreasing the manufacturing cost of the cowl top 40.
[0080] Further, the lid 32 is divided into a plurality of pieces in
the width direction of the vehicle, so that upon inflation and
expansion of the air bag 10, the lid 32 is opened with it being
divided into a plurality of pieces. Because the lid 32 is readily
opened, a smooth inflation and expansion of the air bag 10 is
performed.
[0081] Boundary lines or grooves may appear on the upper surface of
the lid 32 and at parts where the lid 32 is divided in the width
direction of the vehicle. However, the cowl top 40 is arranged
around the retainer 31, and at first glance the retainer 31 looks
as if it is a part of the cowl top 40. Therefore, the boundary
grooves of the lid 32 also look as if they are part of the design
of the cowl top 40. Further, because the cowl top 40 is usually
black in color, the boundary grooves of the lid 32 becomes less
conspicuous if the lid 32 is also black in color.
[0082] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, because adjacent side end
portions of the divided lids 32b, 32b are overlapped each other,
the inside of the retainer 31 is not exposed to view from the
boundary grooves, thereby reliably preventing water, foreign
objects, and the like from entering the inside of the retainer 31
through the boundary grooves.
[0083] Because the rear cover 34 and the side cover 35 (FIG. 2) are
attached to the retainer 31 at a portion visible from the outside
of the vehicle 2, the appearance of the vehicle 2 will not be
impaired.
[0084] Further, the retainer 31 is provided with a ventilation
passage 36 having the ventilation openings 33d at the front side of
the vehicle, and as shown in FIG. 4, air at the front side of the
vehicle 2 is fed from the ventilation passage 36 into the flow
passage directed to the air conditioner via the side portions 42 of
the cowl top 40. Therefore, in a case in which the retainer 31
extends in the width direction of the vehicle, it is possible to
take in air from the front side of the vehicle 2 and feed the same
toward the vehicle cabin positioned behind the retainer 31.
[0085] Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the collision detection
device (not shown) detects or predicts a collision with the vehicle
2 based on a signal from the sensor (not shown) or radar (not
shown) mounted on the vehicle 2, the collision detection device
operates the inflators 20, 20. The air bag 10 then inflates and
expands on the vehicle 2 as shown in FIG. 1B with the lid 32 (FIG.
2) being opened because of the expansion force of the air bag 10
caused by the gas generated at the inflators 20, 20.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, each divided lid 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 of
the lid 32 is attached to the retainer 31 through the hinge member
32a extendable toward the outside of the vehicle 2, so that as seen
in FIG. 6, the hinge member 32a extends toward the outside of the
vehicle 2, for example, in the upward direction by the displacement
of the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2. This enables the
displacement amount of the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 to be
increased further, and so the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are
opened while overlapping on top of the hood 2c. The inflating and
expanding air bag 10 therefore rides on the hood 2c without being
disturbed by the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 opened, leading
to the inflation and expansion of the air bag 10 on an extensive
range of the hood 2c.
[0087] Further, inflation and expansion of the air bag 10 is
initiated from around the center part of the retainer 31, in which
are provided the inflators 20, 20 (FIG. 1A), as viewed in the width
direction of the vehicle. According to this embodiment such as
shown in FIG. 5, of the four divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2, two
of the middle divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.1, ride on the other
divided lids 32b.sub.2, 32b.sub.2 at the side end portions thereof,
so that the two middle divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.1, are
firstly opened without being trapped by the side end portions of
the other side divided lids 32b.sub.2, 32b.sub.2 and thereafter the
two side divided lids 32b.sub.2, 32b.sub.2 are opened. Therefore,
it is possible to perform a smooth inflation and expansion of the
air bag 10.
[0088] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be
understood that the present invention is not limited to this
specific embodiment and various changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, instead of arranging the retainer 31 in front of the main
body 41 of the cowl top 40 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the retainer
31 may be arranged behind the main body 41 of the cowl top 40.
Arrangement between the retainer 31 and the cowl top 40 is not
limited to the specific arrangement.
[0089] According to the above-described embodiment, the ventilation
passage 36 extending in the width direction of the vehicle is
provided at the retainer 31 and air is fed through the sides of the
retainer 31 toward the rear side of the retainer 31. However, a
ventilation passage may be provided such that air is taken in from
the front side of the retainer 31 and flows below the retainer 31
toward the rear side of the retainer 31, and the configuration of
the ventilation passage is not limited to specific ones.
[0090] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 5, the lid 32 is divided into a plurality of pieces
in the width direction of the vehicle and the boundary grooves
appear on the upper surface of the lid 32. However, it is possible
to provide a plurality of grooves in the lower surface of the lid
32 by means of laser beam machining or the like, so as to form a
flat upper surface on the lid 32. When the lid 32 opens, the lid 32
is divided into a plurality of pieces at the grooves, thereby
enabling a smooth opening operation of the lid 32.
[0091] As long as the lid 32 is reliably opened by the expansion of
the air bag 10, the lid 32 may be formed integrally without being
divided in the width direction of the vehicle.
[0092] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 3, each of the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 is
connected to the retainer 31 by the hinge member 32a, which is a
plate member having a folded mid portion. However, a connecting
member for connecting the divided lid 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 to the
retainer 31 is not limited to this hinge member 32a as long as it
extends toward the outside of the vehicle. The connecting member
may be made of an elastic material such as rubber.
[0093] In order to improve water sealing characteristic of adjacent
divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 at the boundary groove thereof,
various modifications may be made as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. FIGS.
7A through 7D are sectional views each illustrating divided lids of
a collision object protection assembly according to another
embodiment together with the boundary groove of the adjacent
divided lids.
[0094] An example shown in FIG. 7A is such that a pin member 32d
projecting downwardly from the lower surface of a side end portion
of the upper divided lid 32b.sub.1 is fitted into a through hole
32e formed in the side end portion of the lower divided lid
32b.sub.2. Water seal members 32f, 32f such as rubber members
extending in the forward and rearward direction are provided
between the two overlapped side end portions so as to improve water
seal at the boundary groove formed between the divided lids
32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2.
[0095] Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, a water seal member 32g such
as a rubber member bent in the downward direction may be attached
to the side edge of the upper divided lid 32b.sub.1, so that when
the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are overlapped at the side
end portions, the water seal member 32g tightly contacts with the
side end portion of the lower divided lid 32b.sub.2, thereby
improving water seal at the boundary groove formed between the
divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 7C, ribs 32h extending in the forward and
rearward direction may be provided on the upper surface of the side
end portion of the lower divided lid 32b.sub.2, so that when the
divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are overlapped at the side end
portions, the ribs 32h are fitted into corresponding grooves 32j
formed in the lower surface of the side end portion of the upper
divided lid 32b.sub.1, thereby improving water seal at the boundary
groove formed between the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2.
[0097] Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, the side edge 32j of the lower
divided lid 32b.sub.2 may form a ridge portion, so that when the
divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2 are overlapped at the side end
portions, the side edge 32j is fitted to a corresponding groove 32k
formed in the lower surface of the side end portion of the upper
divided lid 32b.sub.1. This improves water seal at the boundary
groove formed between the divided lids 32b.sub.1, 32b.sub.2.
* * * * *